The basin is recognised as the appropriate unit for the management of water resources. It is also recognised that water must be managed in association with other natural resources such as soils, vegetation and fauna, both terrestrial and aquatic. Management of these resources also needs to recognise the close relationship that often exists between the human communities and their natural environment.

SMEC understands that basin management and planning studies require a multi-disciplinary approach and the participation of stakeholder organisations and communities. Water forms the common link between different parts of the basin and different stakeholders. The issues to be considered may include access to water for consumptive or non-consumptive use, desires to reduce the economic and social impacts of flooding and concerns over the quality of water.

Typical recent projects include: 

• working with the irrigation and grazing communities of the 3500 km2 Lower Balonne Floodplain in south-west Queensland to develop a GIS-based Decision Support Tool for the sharing of floodplain flows 
• developing a conceptual framework for sharing the waters of the Lower Mekong between Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam through a series of regional meetings and workshops; and then developing a program for implementation 
• BWRM - Indonesia